What can I really say that I haven’t written about the Game Console R36S several times before? It’s my practical budget fave, with enough kitschy personality that I’m willing to overlook any of its shortcomings. The benchmark that all other possible e-waste clone devices are measured against. No offering has yet bested what Game Console originally put together with the R36S, yet…
Enter the R36H, Game Console’s attempt at a horizontal form factor that closely resembles the design of the Anbernic RG35XXH. The 36H comes in with a price tag of around $35 or less, which will likely continue to fall as we’ve seen with the R36S.
Game Console R36H menu screen
Coming in at around $20 less than its RG35XXH inspiration, does the 36H have what it takes to be a new budget favorite?
Game Console R36H Specs
The R36H comes to us with the same familiar options that we now know and love from the R36S. There is a plain white option, along with translucent black, orange (coming soon), and purple (as seen here).
Much like the ever-increasing number of Anbernic H700 offerings in different form factors, Game Console is repacking its R36 internals into a new shell. It’s important to note that if you already own an R36S, this device will perform identically. Anything that leads you to believe otherwise is likely nothing more than marketing nonsense.
The device specs as listed on the Game Console R36H box are as follows:
- CPU: RK3326
- RAM: 1GB DDR3L
- Screen: 3.5″ 640×480 IPS Display
- Battery: Removable 3,000mah
- Other: HDMI-out, Aux-in, 2x USB-C
Finally, we have a potential Game Console Corp location!
The Good
R36H (L) vs. 35XX H (R)
It’s the RK3326. We know what it can do and what its limitations are going to be. The muscle under the hood is either what you’re looking for or it isn’t. Want to up and including PS1 with a smattering of Dreamcast and PSP light lifting? This chipset will do that.
The screen is the same as it ever was on the R36S, just swapped into a horizontal form factor. In a crowded market with screens that continually get better by the week, this “old” standby is still punching above its weight for a device that some consider to be e-waste. The colors are crisp and clear, and the screen delivers a play experience that my old brain still has trouble getting around for the cheap cost of entry.
Enough to stand out in a sea of translucent purple?
The shoulder buttons mimic the side-by-side design of the RG35XXH vs the stacked design of some other systems. While not perfect, the triggers are at least a good bit quieter and more ergonomic than the oft-maligned 36S triggers. The way my fingers contour around the triggers naturally makes for a comfortable playing experience. Stuck-on rubber grips on the rear of the device round out this feeling when held in the hands.
The Not-So-Great
While not a “gee-golly mess” like Bobby’s room, the controls could use some clean-up
So much of handheld gaming, and gaming in general, comes down to feel. Individual notes come together to form a song of play experience. The components might not all be perfect, but when put together, they create something more impressive than the sum of their parts. Having said that, the 36H feels decidedly OK.
The first major difference that anyone will notice when comparing the R36H with the Anbernic RG35XXH is the stick placement. The R36H opts for the D-pad on the lower left of the handheld, with the analog sticks in an offset Xbox style. I hadn’t thought that this would be an issue for me, but as I’ve spent more time with the device, I’m not in love with the placement.
Overall discomfort may come from the fact that the D-pad just doesn’t feel very good. It sits in a weird limbo of design where my thumb doesn’t know where to rest perfectly and just feels like an add-on rather than a design consideration. It looks to be the same as what’s on the R36S but somehow feels worse when played side by side.
The Start + Select buttons have no real impact on gameplay most of the time, but the way they behave here is still a bit of a head-scratcher. They are stiff enough that they require a good bit of force to press down, and are extremely loud when pressed. Any progress Game Console made in dulling the noise of the triggers was totally lost in these buttons. If you were playing Punch Out! in a quiet doctor’s office, other patients would get sick of you performing uppercuts pretty quickly.
Face buttons will feel familiar to anyone who has used the 36S in the past. Entirely serviceable if unremarkable. The analog sticks are the switch-style we’ve become familiar with. They won’t set the world on fire, but do what they’re here for. I think the placement is really what is going to be the largest consideration with the 36H.
If you’re someone who is more comfortable playing a lot of older games with an analog stick, then you’ll be perfectly fine here. If you’d rather the precision of a d-pad though, this might not be your first choice when it comes to comfort.
Closing Thoughts
Cool Spot and the Noid should team up in 2024
Game Console’s clone devices have attempted to deliver a high-quality and rounded gaming experience at a price point that’s even less than the already budget-friendly Anbernic offerings that have become the mainstays of this hobby. Whether they’re successful in this journey is going to come down to your own personal wants and needs (and budget).
If you’re looking for a fun emulation experience right out of the box for a low price, you could really do a lot worse than the Game Console R36H this holiday season. It’s wonderful to have budget options such as these that offer flexibility and options for tinkerers, or just a playable experience from the jump.
I think it would work great if it were gifted to a friend or kid who is just dipping their toes into classic emulation. Better to find your likes and wants on the cheap before jumping into the deep end of the hobby pool.
If you already have a well-rounded handheld collection, there certainly isn’t anything on offer here that hasn’t been done elsewhere and is often better. The best case I can make for the R36H is it makes for a great out-of-the-box option for someone who just wants to play games without the hassle of setup.
It works well and gives plenty of tinkering options from within the baked-in ArkOS 2.0 for the needs of most users. This would make a great option for getting kids into emulation, and you won’t have to worry about the hit to your bank account if it gets dropped.
The landscape has changed considerably since the R36S was first released, and I spent months gushing over its budget prowess. Competition is ever-increasing and prices continue to drop across the board.
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